2.0 Skyactiv-X 180ps Sport Lux 5dr

Stylish, fun to drive, high quality. Feels like the best car in its class

It must be the best looking car in the class; it's certainly not boring. Great buying experience from my local dealer and just from the test drive it felt different, agile, quiet, sporty and very nice to sit in. The interior is as nice as the exterior made of high quality materials (as good as an Audi), everything falls nicely to hand and the infotainment is easy to use and avoids the awful 'iPad on the dash' look. It is a little cramped in the rear with the sloping roof and thick c-pillars but the standard fit reversing camera and parking sensors make it a breeze to park with light positive steering albeit with a slightly below normal turning circle. The ride is a little firm on 18" wheels but made up for with very engaging handling.

The engine I went for was the new Skyactiv-X which is unusual as it drives like a diesel at low revs wanting very early upshifts (6th gear at 33mph easily) but then revs out like a petrol being a little breathless mid-range before coming strong at the top end. Spirited driving knocks the economy which is around 48mpg in the first 2,000 miles on motorway and A-roads. It doesn't necessarily feel like 180bhp but that is maybe because it is so quiet in the cabin with a sporty but muted engine note (better noise insulation than all other non-premium competitors I think). Sadly in my first 10 days it broke, but this was a software upgrade that it was due 2 days later for a recall anyway, apparently something to do with fuel / air mixture.

Look forward to driving it every day and quickly becoming part of the family; feel like its a well kept secret.

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